Roping saddle horn assembly



June 18, 1968 E. F PARKER 3,388,530

ROPING SADDLE HORN ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 28. 1966 FIG. 2.

UWUSIMMMMI INVENTOR.

EUGENE F. P488519,

47' OE/V53 3.

United States Patent 3,388,530 ROPING SADDLE HORN ASSEMBLY Eugene F. Parker, 805 Stanton, Richland, Wash. 99352 Filed Jan. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 523,597 7 Claims. (Cl. 54-44) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A saddle horn assembly provided with an exposed, rubber surface for frictionally gripping a rope wrapped thereabout. The horn assembly includes a hexagonallyshaped metallic core removably secured to the saddle pommel. A rubber sleeve is telescoped over the core, and includes a plurality of keyways for receiving keys integrally secured to vertices of the hexagonal core, thereby preventing relative rotation between the core and sleeve. A head is secured to the core and further clamps the sleeve securely, between it and the pommel. The rubber sleeve can be replaced, when worn, by removing the head and sliding the sleeve oif the core. Individual parts of the horn assembly are also interchangeable.

This invention relates to a novel saddle horn assembly adapted to be mounted upon a saddle tree, and in particular, a saddle horn assembly specifically designed for use in rodeo roping contests, but which use is not to be construed as so limited.

It is an object of this invention to provide a saddle horn assembly including a saddle horn constructed of friction generating material so that only one wrap of a rope under a pulling force around the horn is required, instead of the usual three or four wraps, to prevent slippage of the rope and its knot on the horn, thereby enabling valuable time to be saved during roping contests in rodeos.

Another object of this invention is to provide a saddle horn assembly which is constructed of interchangeable components, thereby permitting replacement of the various components of the horn assembly as they wear.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a saddle horn assembly which is constructed of interchangeable components, thereby enabling the horn assembly to be shaped and constructed according to the individual desires of a variety of riders.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a saddle horn assembly of the character indicated which is of simple, but yet sturdy construction, and functions efficiently for its intended purpose.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a saddle tree mounting the saddle horn assembly comprising the subject matter of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating the interior construction of the saddle horn assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 and further illustrating the construction of the saddle horn assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but illustrating a slightly modified form of saddle horn assembly;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals designate like elements throughout the several views, a saddle tree is shown mounting a pommel 12, cantle 14, flanks 16, and stirrups 18. Mounted upon the pommel 12 is a saddle born 20, provided with a removable head 22.

3,3885% Patented June 18, 1968 'ice The horn 20 consists of a core 40, hexagonally-shaped in cross-section, removably fastened to the head 22 at one end, and extending upwardly at an inclined angle from a metallic base 34 at its other end. The base 34 is part of the pommel 12 and is removably fastened to a wooden block 32, comprising the major portion of the pommel 12, by means of wood screw fasteners 36 disposed within countersunk openings 38 in the base 34 and threaded into the wooden block 32. A leather covering or binding 24 is placed in surrounding relationship to the block 32 and base 34 to complete the fabrication of the pommel 12.

The head 22 consist of a metallic element 28 supporting a wood block 26 of generally semi-ellipsoid shape. A leather covering or binding 30 surrounds the Wooden block 26 and metallic element 28 and maintains the seated relation of the block 26 upon the metallic element 28.

A metallic tubular sleeve 42, hexagonally-shaped in cross-section, is telescoped over the horn core 40. Opposite ends of sleeve 42 make contact with the peripheral portions of the leather coverings or bindings 30 and 24 and maintains the bindings in tight surrounding relationship about the head assembly and pommel assembly, respectively.

Each vertex of the hexagonally-shaped outer surface of sleeve 42 is provided with a longitudinally extending key 44 running the length of the sleeve 42. A rubber sleeve 46, having a central bore 47, which is hexagonally-shaped in cross-section, is provided and telescoped over sleeve 42 during fabrication of the horn assembly. The walls surrounding the bore 47 in sleeve 46 are provided with keyways 45 for mating and locking engagement with keys 44 on sleeve 42. This arrangement prevents relative rotation between sleeve 42 and sleeve 46.

In lieu of the key and keyway arrangement, sleeve 46 could be cemented to the outer surface of sleeve 42. Also, relative rotation between the components is prevented merely by the mating hexagonal surfaces on each element. However, the arrangement described insures a sturdy and non-rotative connection.

After rubber sleeve 46 is disposed about hexagonal sleeve 42, head 22 can be disposed upon horn 20 to complete fabrication of the horn assembly. To establish a rigid structure, leather covering or binding 30, wooden block 26, and metallic element 28 are provided with an opening 48, having a shoulder 49. Horn core 40' is provided with a contiguous threaded opening 59. An Allen head bolt 52 is adapted to be disposed through opening 48 and threadedly connected within opening 50 until the head of the bolt seats upon shoulder 49. The securement of head 22 to the horn 20 in this manner, also clamps rubber sleeve 46 between the leather covering or binding 30 of the head 22 and leather covering or binding 24 of the pommel 12, thereby further insuring relative nonrotation of sleeve 46 with respect to core 40 and sleeve 42. Once the head 22 has been tightly fastened upon horn 29, the ends of sleeve 42 secure leather coverings or bindings 3t and 24 around the head and pommel assemblies, respectively, as well.

The saddle horn assembly just described, consisting of pommel 12, horn 20, and head 22 presents an exposed sleeve of rubber 46 or equivalent friction generating material for engagement by a rope which has been used to lasso an animal. The non-slip properties of sleeve 4G enable a single wrap to be made about horn 20 with the rope to prevent slippage of a temporary knot or the rope itself, whereas three or four wraps were previously required. This is especially useful in rodeo roping contests wherein time is valuable in roping and corralling animals.

The removable head 22 enables ready replacement of rubber sleeve 46 or horn core 40 or any other components of the saddle horn assembly, when worn. Furthermore, the attachment of any kind of head or horn which meets the individual desires of the rider can be accomplished.

For example, the horn 20 shown in FIGURES 1-3 is slanted with respect to the pommel. A straight horn 20' illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, may be desired. The elements of the horn assembly illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5 are identical to those shown in FIGURES 13, and like elements have been identified by primed numerals.

While specific embodiments of my invention have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications Within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A saddle horn assembly adapted to be mounted upon a saddle tree comprising an inner core having a polygonal shape in cross-section, means for connecting one end of said inner core to a saddle tree, a head detachably connected to the other end of said inner core, and an outer removable rubber tubular sleeve of similar pol gonal shape in cross-section constituting a friction generating material surrounding said inner core and extending from beneath said head to said connecting means.

2. A saddle horn assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a base plate connected to said one end of said inner core, said head being removably fastened to the other end of said inner core, and said rubber tubular sleeve being attached to said inner core between said head and said base plate. 1

3. A saddle horn assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sleeve includes a hexagonally-shaped bore in cross-section, and means for securing said inner core within said bore to said sleeve, said means including an outer surface of hexagonal shape in cross-section on said 4. A saddle horn assembly in accordance with claim 3 1 wherein said outer surface on said inner core includes at least one key, and said sleeve is provided with at least one keyway in the wall surrounding said sleeve bore for locking engagement with said key.

5. A saddle horn assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein said connecting means includes a base plate connected to said one end of said inner core, said head being 'removably fastened to the other end of said inner core, and said rubber tubular sleeve being attached to said inner core between said head and said base plate.

6. A saddle horn comprising an inner core, means for connecting one end of said inner core to a saddle tree, a head detachably connected to the other end of said inner core, an outer removable tubular sleeve of frictiongenerating material telescoped over said inner core and extending from beneath said head to said connecting means, and means for attaching said sleeve to said inner core in non-rotative relationship.

7. A saddle horn in accordance with claim 6 wherein said friction-generating material is rubber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 30,118 9/1860 Boyd 54-44 770,975 9/1904 Lohr 5444 1,661,989 3/1928 Baldwin 5444 3,258,894 7/1966 Hoaglin 5444 3,293,828 12/1966 Hessler 54-44 ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, Primary Examiner. 

